Spectrum and burden of neglected tropical diseases observed in an infectious and tropical diseases unit in Florence, Italy (2000-2015).

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a diverse group of acute and chronic conditions with distinct characteristics that thrive mainly among the poorest populations, almost exclusively in tropical countries. To evaluate the relevance and impact of NTDs in a temperate area, the number and features of patients diagnosed with NTDs at the Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit (ITDU), Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi, Florence, Italy between 2000 and 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Overall 289 NTD cases were diagnosed in 283 subjects accounting for 2.4% of all patients accessing the center: 96 dengue, 62 schistosomiasis, 36 strongyloidiasis, 22 cystic echinococcosis, 19 Chagas disease, 14 leishmaniasis, 11 chikungunya, 10 cysticercosis, 6 soil-transmitted helminthiasis, 6 lymphatic filariasis, 3 trachoma, 2 onchocerciasis, and 2 leprosy. There was one fatal case of disseminated strongyloidiasis. According to the type of exposure, 145 (50.2%) NTDs were diagnosed in immigrants, 121 (41.9%) in travelers, 18 (6.3%) were autochthonous infections, while in 5 cases (1.7%), the type of exposure was unknown. The number of patients seen at the ITDU with a diagnosis of NTD increased over time (from 29 in 2000-2005 to 81 in 2006-2010, to 173 in 2011-2015). Late diagnosis and mismanagement before coming to the center were common features in several cases. Considering the increasing incidence and possible misdiagnosis of NTDs in non-endemic countries, to raise awareness about NTDs among health care providers seems to be of primary concern.

China's sustained drive to eliminate neglected tropical diseases.

Non-communicable diseases dominate the public health arena in China, yet neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are still widespread and create a substantial burden. We review the geographical distribution, prevalence, and epidemic characteristics of NTDs identified in China caused by helminths, protozoa, bacteria, and viruses. Lymphatic filariasis was eliminated in 2007, but schistosomiasis still affects up to 5% of local village residents in some endemic counties with around 300 000 people infected. China harbours more than 90% of the world's burden of alveolar echinococcosis and food-borne zoonoses are emerging. In 2010, the overall prevalence of soil-transmitted helminth infections caused by Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, and hookworm was 11·4%, with 6·8% of these infections caused by A lumbricoides. Corresponding figures for food-borne trematodiasis, echinococcosis, and cysticercosis are more than 5%. Dengue, leishmaniasis, leprosy, rabies, and trachoma exist in many areas and should not be overlooked. Transmission of vector-borne diseases can be interrupted; nevertheless, epidemics occur in remote areas, creating a challenge for surveillance and control. Rigorous surveillance, followed by immediate and integrated response packages tailored to specific social and ecological systems, is essential for progress towards the elimination of NTDs in China.

Neglected tropical diseases: survey and geometry of randomised evidence.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the quantity and distribution of evidence from randomised controlled trials for the treatment of the major neglected tropical diseases and to identify gaps in the evidence with network analysis. DESIGN: Systematic review and network analysis. DATA SOURCES: Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and PubMed from inception to 31 August 2011. STUDY SELECTION: Randomised controlled trials that examined treatment of 16 neglected tropical diseases or complications thereof published in English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, German, or Dutch. RESULTS: We identified 971 eligible randomised trials. Leishmaniasis (184 trials, 23,039 participants) and geohelminth infections; 160 trials, 46,887 participants) were the most studied, while dracunculiasis (nine trials, 798 participants) and Buruli ulcer (five trials, 337 participants) were least studied. Relative to its global burden of disease, lymphatic filariasis had the fewest trials and participants. Only 11% of trials were industry funded. Either a single trial or trials with fewer than 100 participants comprised the randomised evidence for first or second line treatments for Buruli ulcer, human African trypanosomiasis, American trypanosomiasis, cysticercosis, rabies, echinococcosis, New World cutaneous leishmaniasis, and each of the foodborne trematode infections. Among the 10 disease categories with more than 40 trials, five lacked sufficient head to head comparisons between first or second line treatments. CONCLUSIONS: There is considerable variation in the amount of evidence from randomised controlled trials for each of the 16 major neglected tropical diseases. Even in diseases with substantial evidence, such as leishmaniasis and geohelminth infections, some recommended treatments have limited supporting data and lack head to head comparisons.

What skeletons tell us. The story of human paleopathology.

Human skeletal paleopathology provides important insight regarding the antiquity of some diseases and their distribution in past human groups. The history of human skeletal paleopathology extends back more than 150 years. Rudolf Virchow published reports on the subject, and research on paleopathology has provided critical data on important topics such as the origin of syphilis. With the development of powerful new research tools, human paleopathology will continue to be a source of data on the development of disease and its effect on human biological and cultural development.

Infectious diseases of Afghan immigrants in the United States: review of published reports.

Infectious diseases of immigrants may differ from patients born and resident in the same country, especially if immigrants from Africa or Asia live in Europe or North America. Because the available information is limited published reports of infections of Afghan immigrants in the United States and other countries were analysed. Four reports from the US and 15 reports from other countries were identified [7, (46.7%) Pakistan, 5 (33.3%) Iran, 1 (6.7%) United Kingdom, 1 (6.7%) Germany, 1 (6.7%) Israel)]. Reports from the US were case reports or case series of infections with gastro-intestinal parasites and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (1, 25%), Echinococcus species (2, 50%), and Plasmodium vivax (1, 25%). Reports from other countries were case reports, case series, or surveys and investigated infections with Echinococcus species (2, 13%), Hepatitis B virus (HBV) (1, 6.7%), M. tuberculosis (6, 40%), P. falciparum (1, 6.7%), Leishmania tropica (3, 20%), Fasciola hepatica (1, 6.7%), and M. leprae (1, 6.7%). The reports suggest that Echinococcus species and L. tropica infections can be encountered in Afghan immigrants in the US, and the frequency of a positive PPD (purified protein derivative) response or HBsAg test was increased. An infectious diseases database specific for the country of residence readily available to clinicians treating Afghan patients outside of Afghanistan may be useful.

Historia de las endemias en la Argentina / History of endemics in Argentina

Se realiza un recorrido histórico de las enfermedades endémicas de Argentina. La obra fue realizada por un Federico Pérgola. En el mismo se podrán encontrar referencias al descubrimiento, tratamiento e investigaciones sobre las distintas enfermedades que durante estos 200 años estuvieron presentes en nuestros territorio, así como la destacada actuación de los médicos y sanitaristas que pusieron toda su capacidad para conocerlas tratarlas e incluso curarlas. Endemias como las Leishmaniosis, Chagas la Lepra o el Paludismo, entre otras, así como datos biográficos de destacas figuras de la medicina

Infections and infestations of the central nervous system in India. A review.

Based on extensive personal experiences during the past three decades, a review is given on infections and infestations of the central nervous system, which are found in India and in other tropical and subtropical areas. Besides the main disease such as tuberculosis, pyogenic infections and parasitic infestations, rare lesions are also discussed. The literature has been cited in extenso and more especially the contributions by Indian neurosurgeons and neurologists.

Informe de la República Argentina: XXI Conferencia Sanitaria Panamericana, XXXIV Reunion del Comité Regional

Se realiza una descripción de la política de salud a partir de la estrategia de Atención Primaria de Salud, en el período 1978/82. Se describen los principales programas aplicados. Hay un capítulo destinado a legislación sanitaria

Informe de la República Argentina: XXI Conferencia Sanitaria Panamericana, XXXIV Reunion del Comité Regional

Se realiza una descripción de la política de salud a partir de la estrategia de Atención Primaria de Salud, en el período 1978/82. Se describen los principales programas aplicados. Hay un capítulo destinado a legislación sanitaria

Causes of death in a subarctic population.

Some of the main causes of death prior to 1900 are mentioned, including disastrous epidemics of high mortality such as plague, smallpox and the so-called hunger epidemics. Also discussed are two chronic diseases remarkable for Iceland in old times i.e., leprosy and hydatid disease. In the first third of the 20th century, infectious diseases still were the main cause of death in Iceland. The importance of tuberculosis in this connection is stressed. The very high infant mortality up to the beginning of this century is stressed. The changes in the main causes of death in the last decades are described and the growing influence of degenerative vascular diseases and cancer in that connection pointed out. Last, the remarkable fall in the infant mortality and increasing life expectancy from the beginning of this century with growing prosperity of the nation is stressed.

Programación de actividades de saneamiento ambiental: año 1980

Informe de las actividades a desarrollar y llevadas a cabo en higiene y seguridad laboral, saneamiento ambiental. Estadísticas

Programación de actividades de saneamiento ambiental: año 1980

Informe de las actividades a desarrollar y llevadas a cabo en higiene y seguridad laboral, saneamiento ambiental. Estadísticas